KARACHI, Pakistan (AFP) – The Pakistan Cricket Board said Wednesday that all-rounder Faheem Ashraf would miss the second Test against Australia after testing positive for Covid-19.
Due to a hamstring ailment, the 28-year-old all-rounder missed the drew first Test in Rawalpindi.
“In his on-arrival test at the Karachi team hotel, Ashraf tested positive for Covid-19,” the PCB stated in a statement. “He will now be isolated for five days.”
The second Test begins in Karachi on Saturday.
In the last two years, Ashraf has developed into a Test all-rounder, providing Pakistan with much-needed balance in both batting and bowling.
After fast bowler Haris Rauf missed the first Test due to the same cause, Ashraf is the second Pakistani player to test positive for the virus.
He has played 13 Tests and scored 632 runs with four half-centuries while also taking 22 wickets.